Bunn-o-matic Corporation

Kevin G Lowe

Burton L Hart

David W Wurtzler

John T Knepler

Randy D Pope

Robert C Funk

Scott A Mazzini

Randall Palmer Bell

Gary Frank Prokop

Victor D Geockner

Michael D Marsaglia

John T Knapler

A beverage apparatus is provided for heating a liquid and is operable either by foreign or domestic voltages. The apparatus may have a heating element that couples directly to the voltage source, regardless of whether the voltage source is foreign or domestic. The apparatus also may have a power supply that couples directly to the voltage source, regardless of whether the voltage source is foreign or domestic. The power supply outputs a DC voltage that may be coupled to various other components of the apparatus either directly or after subsequent processing.

Power circuitry incorporating both foreign and domestic alternating current line voltages for a heated beverage apparatus

A beverage apparatus including a soluble beverage system and a liquid flavor dispensing system. The liquid flavor dispensing system can add liquid flavor to water flowing through a heated water manifold for combination with beverage material dispensed from the soluble beverage system. The liquid flavor dispensing system and soluble beverage system are cooperatively positioned and controlled to combine liquid flavor, water, and soluble beverage material for controllably producing a variety of beverages.

Soluable beverage system with liquid flavor dispensing

A heated water reservoir for use as a heated water dispenser, in conjunction with a beverage dispenser or for other uses. The heated water reservoir () includes a baffle () which communicates with an outlet port () positioned along the reservoir and an upper portion of the reservoir. In the reservoir a quantity of water is retained in a heated condition with an upper portion of the reservoir containing generally heated water of a higher temperature. An upper edge () of the baffle is positioned relative to the upper portion of the heated water reservoir such that passage of water from the reservoir into a cavity () defined, at least in part, by the baffle facilitates flow of water over the upper edge and into the outlet port. In this manner, water having a higher temperature is dispensed from the reservoir.

Heated substance reservoir baffle

An apparatus for making and dispensing a plurality of beverages, the dispensing apparatus comprising; a plurality of beverage dispensing modules (), each beverage module having a container () and a brewing assembly () for making a respective beverage and delivering the respective beverage to the container, and a housing () associated with the plurality of beverage dispensing modules and defining a chamber containing a liquid for supply to the beverage making assemblies to make respective beverages.

Shared water reservoir beverage system

A beverage system including a communication means () for communicating between a beverage dispensing module () and a base station (). Each beverage-dispersing module () includes a controller (), which is centralized for use with multiple modules () or dedicated to an individual module (). The controller () collects information about the module () or modules. The controller () includes link (), which connect the controller () to the base station (). The base station () includes a means for displaying display () and can provide visual auditor or other information about numerous conditions.

Beverage communication system

A beverage apparatus () having a plurality of dispensing modules () and a housing () that defines a chamber () containing water or liquid suitable for use in brewing.

Liquid flavor beverage system

A container positioner assembly for use in positioning a volume of material in a container relative to a dispensing apparatus. The container positioner assembly includes structures for engagement with the apparatus allowing relative movement of a container attached thereto. The container positioner assembly may include an assist system which facilitates biased movement of the container relative to the apparatus.

Container positioner

The present disclosure relates to a system, method and apparatus for controlling the flavor of a beverage produced from a concentrate, based on the conductivity of the beverage being produced. The apparatus includes a conductivity sensor which provides a controller with real time conductivity data from the beverage being served. The controller is capable of comparing the real time conductivity data to a preprogrammed range of conductivity readings and adjusting a variable speed pump to keep the real time conductivity data within the preprogrammed range.

Liquid beverage conductivity detecting system

A flow control assembly () for use in conjunction with a funnel assembly () of a brewing system. The flow control assembly comprises a body () which has a magnetic portion () and a stopper (). The body is desirably attached to a portion of the funnel assembly such as a basket () contained within the funnel assembly by a couple (). The flow control assembly further includes a magnetic actuator () and a controller () connected to the brewing system for controllably displacing the stopper relative to an outlet aperture in a wall of the funnel assembly.

Dripless funnel assembly

The present disclosure relates to a system method and apparatus for mixing a beverage produced from a concentrate. The apparatus includes a mixing chamber having a removable cover with at least one protrusion formed thereon for disrupting a flow of beverage into the mixing chamber. Additionally, an area of reduced size within the mixing chamber may be provided which causes a beverage entering the mixing chamber to pool therein.

Liquid beverage mixing chamber

Liquid beverage machine

A peristaltic pump for pumping a liquid, such as a juice concentrate, includes a rotor assembly attached to a housing, a band attached to the housing and surrounding at least a portion of the rotor assembly A tube is positionable between the band and the rotor assembly. The position of the band can be adjusted relative to the rotor assembly to adjust the pressure applied to the tube by the band and the rotor assembly. The rotor assembly includes rollers therein for pumping concentrate from a reservoir by drawing a vacuum.

Growing community of inventors

Virden, IL, United States of America

Kevin G Lowe